Encouragment

Day 21 – December 21

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1221As we get closer to Christmas Day, we not only get excited for the holidays, we also get rushed. And tired. And irritable. And impatient.

Today, serve someone you come in contact with by being patient.

Let someone in your traffic lane, even if it means you have to sit an extra cycle at the stoplight.

Recognize that all of the people out rushing around are doing the same things you are–trying to get their holiday preparations done. Since they are just like you, show them some mercy.

And remember, the person taking your exchange after you stood in line for way too long: they have been doing this all day long. Be patient with them and show some cheer and love.

But the fruit of the Spirit is … patience. (Galatians 5.22)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 18 – December 18

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1218Let your family discover the joy of serving one another through helping with everyday tasks.

Let everyone in the family pitch in to make dinner–from selecting what you eat, to preparing it, to cleaning up after the meal is over.

Be sure to enjoy your time together and use it as an opportunity to enjoy the blessings of having food and the ability to enjoy the company that is shared over a meal.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up into heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. … They all ate and were satisfied. (Mark 6.41-42.)

Other Ideas

•Invite someone to come and eat the meal you have prepared as a family. Be sure to spend time in blessing one another around the table, including your guests. Honor them through your hospitality and the way you include them during this special time.

•Make more than your family will be able to eat, perhaps double the recipe. Then take the extra food to someone else who may be in need, or perhaps just someone you want to encourage and bless through this food.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 17 – December 17

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1216“Music hath charms to sooth a savage beast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” William Congreve

Music can often address emotional and spiritual needs that words cannot. It can provide a moment of healing that we cannot seem to find in any other way.

Each of us have songs that we love to listen to, that encourage us. Why not share those songs with someone else. Maybe it is as simple as telling someone about a song or maybe you want to purchase a CD for someone, but however you do it, let them know those songs that mean so much to you in order to encourage them, as well.

David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better. (1 Samuel 16.23)

Other Ideas

•iTunes and other online music stores have an option to gift a song to someone. When you come across a song that means a lot to you, gift it to someone else, along with a note as to why it means so much to you.

•If you do not have a specific song or album in mind, give and iTunes gift card (or other online music store) to allow someone to pick their own song(s).

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 16 – December 16

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1215Pull out your note cards or stationary again and write letters to soldiers.

Here’s an easy way to do so: Go to Operation Gratitude’s website, click on the “Write Letters” link (under the “Get Involved” menu or click here), read the simple instructions, print out the donor form, and start writing.

This is something all ages can participate in: write, draw, and color.

We write this to make our joy complete. (1 John 1.4)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 14 – December 14

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1214For most of us, our pace of life is so busy, we rarely have time to be fully in the moment with others. Because of this, there are many around us who are lonely and discouraged.

Stop and spend just a few minutes, 30 minutes over a cup of coffee perhaps, being fully present with someone, especially someone who may be needing some encouragement.

Turn off your phone, forget about your next appointment, talk little and listen lots. Just be with that person.

Recalling your tears, I long to see you. (2 Timothy 1.4)

Other Ideas:

•If you are with multiple people, each of you put your phone in the middle of the table. First one to grab their phone buys.

•You might think of several questions–all focused on someone else–to help focus you on being fully present with them. Make sure they are questions that cause you to listen more than you talk.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 13 – December 13

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1213Call you parents or your grandparents. (You might also choose to call your children or grandchildren.)

Tell them how much you love them, what their lives have meant to you, and why you are thankful for them.

I thank my God every time I remember you. (Philippians 1.3)

Other Ideas:

•You could also put this in writing, so they can read and reread your words.

•And in this tech-savvy world we live in, you might think about doing this in video form.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 12 – December 12

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1212Smile.

Smile again.

Be kinder than necessary.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 3.12)

Other Ideas:

•Practice “Random Acts of Kindness.” Be nice to someone just for the sake of being nice.

•If you can, be nice to someone anonymously, without letting anyone know what you are up to.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 10 – December 10

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1210Take packaged socks, tied with a festive ribbon, to one of our local nursing homes. Ask the receptionist which resident(s) have very little family and friends and leave your gifts for that person.

Brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. (1 Thessalonians 2.17)

Other Ideas:

•Better yet: stay and visit. The gift of our time is the most precious gift of all.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 9 – December 9

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1209It’s Friday! The end of a busy week during an especially busy and stressful month. You want to serve someone?

Give someone a hug.

That’s it.

Just give them a hug and tell them you are thinking of them.

Encourage one another daily. (Hebrews 3.13)

Other Ideas:

•Giving a free hug is generally recognized as starting with “Juan Mann.” (Find his website and story here.) Maybe you want to make a sign and go to a busy place and give your own free hugs.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 6 – December 6

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1206Put a packaged treat in your mailbox. If you have children, let them create or color the tag for this gift.

Thank your mail carrier for his/her service to you all year long.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5.11)

Other Ideas:

•You might also want to think about giving a treat to people who regularly serve you, such as the lawn person, your vet, wait staff that you see often, the barista at your coffee shop, or perhaps the fire fighters at the station closest to you.

•You could alter this idea and use Sonic or Starbucks gift cards instead of a treat.

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days